Through the Cloud, computer services are delivered through the internet similar to accessing electricity. Access mediums such as laptops, desktops, tablets, smart phones, televisions will merely be display devices getting all resources from the Cloud. This article will address the benefits, applications and concerns of cloud computing.
Benefits of Cloud Computing
- Cost and Time
: Organizations will no longer own computer labs, servers, and expensive applications that are hard to manage. Payment to Cloud providers is done incrementally freeing up much needed capital to grow the business. Electricity bills are drastically reduced and ICT staff will concentrate on growing the business not putting out fires in the computer room. System setup is completed in a short time as the Cloud provides already installed applications. The Cloud also lowers the cost of maintenance.
- Storage:
Storage will be unlimited. The Cloud increments storage for users as needed and immediately. Redundancy is also ensured.
- Systems Update:
Applications are updated on time. Enterprises will no longer have to budget in advance in order t o acquire the latest version of Windows.
- Accessibility:
The Cloud can be accessed wherever there is internet access.
Organizations with national or international branches are able to access information, projects, and collaborate in real time as if they were in the same location. Employees get to access their offices even when traveling or working from home. No need for e-mails. Everything is centralized.
- ICT Support: Support on all services offered is available 24/7 from well trained experts scattered all over the world.
Who Can Benefit Most From Cloud Computing
- Small Businesses:
Upcoming entrepreneurs can hire workers from all over the world to work at all hours and from any place. Namibian youth can easily benefit by working for international companies looking for workers on this side of the hemisphere.
- E-Governance: E-governance projects can benefit greatly from Cloud Computing. The Cloud has a reach wherever governments want to reach. The cost of equipment that is required for all the services governments offer will be consolidated into the Cloud and drastically reduce costs.
- Graphics Design & Multimedia: The Cloud will save costs on the insatiable storage of graphics and multimedia files. Sharing of music, videos, pictures will be easier. Designers will also be able to collaborate easily online.
Cloud Computing Concerns
- Security:
Security is a great concern for Cloud Computing especially with Amazon Web Services and PlayStation Network security still fresh in our minds, companies are wary of jumping on the Cloud bandwagon. A lot more security assurance is needed from the Cloud industry before more enterprises join.
- Regulatory Compliance:
Global firms will have to figure out how to adhere to their governments’ regulations even if their data is on a Cloud in another country.
- Administration Transparency: Cloud administrators have to establish rules for reporting incidences on clients’ systems. Reports on issues like outage, systems compromise have to be reported immediately so that enterprises can mitigate the effects of such incidences to their businesses.
There is no doubt that Cloud Computing is the way of future computing. We already interact with cloud computing on a daily basis. Hotmail, facebook, youtube, twitter etc. are all examples of Cloud computing services. There is no going back. The best bet is to keep updated with this concept and take full advantage of it when it becomes mature.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Elizabeth Asino-Joseph
Quelle/Source: New Era, 27.10.2011
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